Bible: Ezra 1:1-10

The Decree of Cyrus

In the first2yearof KingCyrusof Persia, in order to fulfillthe Lord’smessage3spokenthrough4 Jeremiah,5the Lordstirredthemind6of KingCyrusof Persia. He disseminated7a proclamation8throughout his entirekingdom, announcing in a written edict9the following:10

1:2 “ThussaysKingCyrusof Persia:

“‘The LordGodof heavenhas givenme allthe kingdomsof the earth. He has instructedme to builda temple11for him in Jerusalem,12whichis in Judah.1:3Anyonefrom13 his peopleamong you (may his Godbe withhim!) may go upto Jerusalem, whichis in Judah, and may buildthetempleof the LordGodof Israel– he isthe Godwhois in Jerusalem.1:4Anyonewho survivesin anyof those placeswherehe isa resident foreignermust be helped by his neighbors14with silver, gold, equipment, and animals, along withvoluntaryofferings for the templeof Godwhichis in Jerusalem.’”

The Exiles Prepare to Return to Jerusalem

1:5Thenthe leaders15of Judahand Benjamin, along with the priestsand the Levites– allthose whose mindGod had stirred – got ready16 to go up in order to build the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.171:6Alltheir neighborsassisted18them with silverutensils,19gold, equipment, animals, and expensivegifts, not to mention20 allthe voluntaryofferings.